As Jai Singh repeatedly proed himself a worthy ally of the Mughals, Muhammad Shah, who was seeking a dependable ally, zeroed in on Jai Singh and duly raised him to the rank of governor of Agra and later, of Malwa. Legend Behind Jantar Mantar Jai Singh was passionate about two things-arts and the sciences, chiefly astronomy.

Once, at the court of Muhammad Shah, he found the Hindu and Muslim astrologers embroiled in a heated argument over certain planetary positions. It was imperatie that the positions be known accurately to determine an auspicious hour for the emperor to set out on an expedition. Jai Singh offered to rectify the then aailable astronomical tables, an offer that was readily accepted by the Mughal emperor.

The result was an onsite Jantar Mantar in Delhi, an astronomical Observatory where the movements of sun, moon and planets could be obsered.

Jai Singh's idea was to create a rebirth of practical astronomy among the Indian masses and practicing astronomers. However, the lofty ideals of the Jantar Mantar remained unfulfilled as the country at that time was in chaos and the full potential of this Observatory was never realized. In the beginning, Jai Singh tried to use brass instruments in this Observatory, but soon gave them up because of several inherent flaws. They were too small, for one thing, their axes were unstable so the center often got displaced. He then decided to follow the style adopted by the renowned Arab astronomer, Prince Ulugh Beg, builder of the famous 15th century Observatory at Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The massie masonry instruments at Samarkand suited Jai Singh's architectural tastes and promised to be more accurate because of shever size. In 1730, Jai Singh sent a mission to the king of Lisbon. On its return to Jaipur, the mission brought back a telescope and the court astronomer by the name of Xaier de Sila. The Observatory This unique Observatory was completed in 1724 and remained operational only for seven years.

Astronomical obserations were regularly made over here and these obserations were used for drawing up a new set of tables, later compiled as Zij Muhammad Shahi dedicated to the reigning monarch. Jai Singh named his Observatory Jantar Mantar, which is actually pronounced, as 'Yantra Mantra', yantra for instrument and mantra for formula. A huge sundial known as "Samrat Yantra" or 'Prince of Dials', meant to measure accurate time of the day within half a second and the declination of the sun and other heavenly bodies dominates it.
Jai Singh himself designed this yantra. Other yantras were also meant for the study of heavenly bodies, plotting their course and predicting eclipses. The two pillars on the southwest of Mishra Yantra are meant to determine the shortest and longest days of the year. Interestingly, in December one pillar completely covers the other with its shadow while in June it does not cast any such shadow at all. After the completion of the first Jantar Mantar and with a view to erifying astronomical obserations made at Delhi, Jai Singh built similar, even if smaller obseratories, at other important Indian cities-Jaipur, aranasi, Ujjain, and Mathura. The Jantar Mantars may have fallen into disuse but they remain an integral part of India's scientific heritage. It presents that the spirit of scientific enquiry was not dead in India and would have yielded rich results if only an opportunity of research and deelopment had beven given to it. This monument situated just a stroll away on the Parliament Street, still remains one of the most intriguing structures of the capital, one that burst in a flood of questions inside the curious mind of the tourist. Timing : Daily 9.00am - 7.00pm.

Pictures of India

India guide

Taj Mahal
Bodh Gaya
Wonders of India
Humayuns Tomb
India Gate
Jama Masjid
Qutab Minar
Shore Temple
Adenture on the
Indian Railways
Indian Culinary
Traditional Indian
Curry
Chaminar
Pictures of India
Agra Fort
Red Fort
ictoria Memorial
Jantar Mantar
Amar Jawan Jyoti
India Architecture
Sikkim Gangtok
Punakha
Tourism
Amber Palace
Punjab
Javisalmer
Javisalmer Sites
Javisalmer Excursions
Jodhpur
Getting Around Jodhpur
Jodhpur Sites
Jaipur
Jaipur Excursions

Hotels in India